Football officially got under way in the Big 7 with the kickoff of the high school football jamboree on Aug. 14 at the Stone Castle in Bristol.

For Boone and Crockett, the jamboree yet again pitted the two rivals against one another in a quarter contest with the rest of the conference looking on. And for the second straight year, the Pioneers came out on top, 3-0.

With several offensive starters sitting out for both teams, including Pioneer quarterback Ryan Burger, Crockett struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the early minutes of the contest.

But on what would end up being the winning possession, Pioneer backup quarterback Cole Ricker was able to help guide the offense down the field with his biggest play of the night coming on the drive, an 18-yard completion bringing Crockett into Boone territory.

The Crockett drive would stall with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, and the Pioneers would call on first year junior kicker Flavio Sanguinetti.

A delay of a game penalty moved the Pioneers back another 5 yards, but it wouldn’t matter. Sanguinetti’s 41-yard field goal sailed through the goalpost to break the tie between the two rivals.

Crockett would hold Boone scoreless over the final two minutes to capture the jamboree win, 3-0.

While Ricker and Sanguinetti showed well for the Pioneers, Boone’s Zach White showed tremendous potential in leading the Blazer rushing attack after tearing off several big gains throughout the shortened affair.

In other action, host Tennessee High had a strong night, defeating Sullivan Central in the first quarter, 14-0 and downing Volunteer in the fourth, 21-6.

Conference favorite Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett also squared off, with the Hilltoppers coming out on top in a heavy offensive display, 21-14.

The Pioneers received good news last week regarding the eligibility of talented sophomore running back T.K. Hill who transferred from University High last season. He will not have to sit out any games this season and should be in there when the Pioneers take on Sullivan East to kick off their regular season on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Boone will open its regular season at home on Friday, Aug. 22, against Elizabethton.